🇧🇴 Import Customs & Duties: Bolivia
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
13%
CIF value + duty. IVA at 13% on all imports. ICE on alcohol, tobacco, vehicles, and luxury goods.
Clearance Time
5-14 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 5-10% (smartphones 5%, laptops 5%, TVs 10%, Andean Community preferences may apply) | HS 85 |
| Clothing | 20-35% (all garments 20-35%, used clothing banned/restricted) | HS 61-62 |
| Footwear | 20-35% (all footwear 20-35%) | HS 64 |
| Food products | 5-40% (rice 5-10%, meat 20-40%, dairy 20%, processed food 10-20%) | HS 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-10% (industrial machinery 0-5%, agricultural 0%) | HS 84 |
| Cosmetics | 10-20% (perfumes 20%, skincare 10%) | HS 33 |
| Books | 0% | HS 49 |
| Toys | 10-20% (basic toys 10%, electronic toys 20%) | HS 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Aduana Nacional de Bolivia (ANB, aduana.gob.bo). SIDUNEA++ (ASYCUDA) system. CAN (Andean Community) member, common external tariff for trade with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. IVA at 13% on imports. ICE (specific consumption tax) on luxury goods, alcohol, tobacco. Landlocked, all seaborne cargo transits through Chilean ports (Arica, Iquique) or Peruvian port (Ilo) under bilateral transit agreements.
What to Actually Expect
Landlocked, all seaborne cargo transits Chile (Arica, Iquique) or Peru (Ilo), adding 3-7 days and significant cost. Customs in Bolivia can be slow, bureaucratic, and prone to corruption. IVA at 13%. High duties on consumer goods (up to 35%). Informal border trade (contraband) widespread from Chile and Peru. DHL and FedEx available in La Paz and Santa Cruz. Postal mail very unreliable, 4-8 weeks. Andean Community preferences reduce duties on regional goods. Used clothing imports banned or heavily restricted.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
Required for firearms, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, used clothing, and certain food products. SENASAG handles agricultural certification. Strict controls on used clothing imports (ropa usada, banned or heavily restricted). AGEMED for pharmaceutical imports.
Certificate of Origin
CAN certificate for Andean Community trade (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru). MERCOSUR associate member certificates. ACE certificates for ALADI partners. Issued by SENAVEX (Servicio Nacional de Verificación de Exportaciones) or Cámara de Comercio.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Bolivia:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $5 | $7 | $12 |
| $100 | $10 | $14 | $24 |
| $200 | $20 | $29 | $49 |
| $500 | $50 | $72 | $122 |
| $1000 | $100 | $143 | $243 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Bolivia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Bolivia?
Bolivia has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Bolivia?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Bolivia is 13%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. IVA at 13% on all imports. ICE on alcohol, tobacco, vehicles, and luxury goods.
How long does customs clearance take in Bolivia?
Typical customs clearance in Bolivia takes 5-14 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Bolivia?
To import into Bolivia, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Bolivia?
Bolivia prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.